Korean Inspired Popcorn Chicken

Crispy, golden, and irresistibly flavorful, this Korean Inspired Popcorn Chicken takes your snacking game to the next level! Perfectly bite-sized pieces of tender boneless chicken thighs are seasoned, coated in a light and crunchy batter, and fried to perfection. The real star, however, is the bold and spicy-sweet glaze made with gochujang (Korean chili paste), honey, soy sauce, and aromatic sesame oil, creating an unforgettable explosion of umami in every bite. Finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onion, this savory crowd-pleaser is great for an appetizer, game day snack, or even dinner when paired with steamed rice. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is your go-to for easy, restaurant-style Korean fried chicken at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Boneless chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 cup Cornstarch
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 large Egg
• 2 tablespoons Milk
• 3 cups Vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons Honey
• 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds
• 1 stalk (chopped) Green onion

Directions

Step 1

Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl.

Step 2

Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well and set aside.

Step 3

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk to create an egg wash.

Step 4

In another bowl, combine cornstarch and all-purpose flour for the dry coating.

Step 5

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan to 350°F (175°C).

Step 6

Dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, then coat it in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure it adheres.

Step 7

Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 8

In a small saucepan, combine gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Heat over medium-low, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 9

Toss the fried chicken pieces in the sauce until evenly coated.

Step 10

Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion.

Step 11

Serve hot as a snack or appetizer. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1491.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7032.1

Total Fat 698.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 106.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 411.7g
Cholesterol 615.3mg	0%
Sodium 4818.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 151.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.9g	0%
Total Sugars 59.9g
Protein 110.7g	0%

Vitamin D 66.8IU	0%
Calcium 182.2mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 1418.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 85.7%

Protein: 6.0%

Carbs: 8.3%